SLO’s Historic Fremont Theater Getting Closer to Reopening

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) - The historic Fremont Theater in downtown San Luis Obispo is getting closer to reopening after being closed for more than a month due to storm damage.

In mid-February, a powerful storm damaged the theater's iconic 35-foot fin sign, causing a portion of the structure to fall onto the ground.

Since then, the theater has been closed, along with a portion of Monterey Street directly in front the of the building.

This week, the City of San Luis Obispo fully reopened the street, and according to Fremont Theater owner Rob Rossi, the theater itself is likely close to reopening as well.

"We had engineers look at the condition," said Rossi. "We've opened up part of the marquee. It appears to be sound. The engineer is going to be here this early next week and hopefully he'll find the same. And assuming he signs off, we can be open next week."

The potential reopening of the theater in the near future is welcome news for many, especially with the annual San Luis Obispo International Film Festival set to start in less than three weeks on April 23rd.

"We certainly hope that we can be open for that," said Rossi. "Our hope is to keep it here as it's been from the beginning. We think it's an icon of the city and the film festival's an icon of the city and the two go together."

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